Mumbai: Sushant Singh Rajput is certainly on cloud now. His film ‘M.S.Dhoni: The Untold Story’ based on Mahendra Singh Dhoni is doing well at the Box Office and his performance in the biopic has garnered appreciation. But did you know Fawad Khan was a part of the film?


COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Are you shocked? Well, so were we when we came across reports suggesting that the Pakistani heartthrob was indeed a part of the film! According to a report in dnaindia.com originally attributed to Bollywoodlife.com, Fawad had essayed the role of Virat Kohli in the Neeraj Pandey directorial. He had shot for his portions along with Sushant and the director wanted to surprise the audiences with his screen presence.


But owing to the controversy that followed after Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) imposed a ban on Pakistani artists in our films, the makers of ‘M.S.Dhoni: The Untold Story’ decided to do away with Fawad’s character in the film. So the portions featuring Fawad was reportedly chopped off to avoid any negative reactions.


The IMPPA last week decided to ban Pakistani artistes and technicians from working in India till ongoing bilateral tensions between India and Pakistan die down.


Interestingly, the call to ban Pakistani actors in Bollywood by IMPPA had been deemed irrelevant by Indian film producer and censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani.


Nonetheless, Pandey was probably not ready to let any controversy affect the fate of his film.


"Neeraj Pandey didn’t want any negative publicity or controversy around the film. Though Fawad Khan’s character was an integral part of the film, but it wasn’t as important as that of MS Dhoni’s. So he thought it’s better to do away with the Fawad’s portions in the film than face the ire of this controversy. Neeraj didn’t want the focus of the film to shift from MS Dhoni and Sushant Singh Rajput to Fawad Khan, Virat Kohli and Pakistan,” BL quoted a source as saying.


The report also suggests that Fawad was not even aware of the fact that his portions had been removed from the film.


But the film has certainly proved to be a jackpot of sorts for Sushant because it is raking in the moolah at the Box Office. The biopic also features Anupam Kher, Rajesh Sharma, Kiara Advani, ‘Tere Naam’ fame Bhumika Chawla besides debutante Disha Patani.


Divided Bollywood


Bollywood today stands divided on the issue of Pakistani artists in Indian films. While a number of people have openly expressed their views, many chose to remain tight-lipped about the same.


Fawad in Karan Johar’s Diwali release


Interestingly, Fawad will be seen in Karan Johar’s ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, a multi-starrer that releases on Diwali this year. The Pakistani actor has a small role in the film but an influential one. ADHM also stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma in lead roles. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan will be making a speak appearance in the film.


But KJo will have some stiff competition from none other than Ajay Devgn who is all set to make a splash on the silver screen with ‘Shivaay’ on the same day.